Diseases & conditions A-Z List

Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «A»:

Acquired platelet function defectAcquired platelet function defects are diseases or conditions that cause the blood elements needed for blood clotting (platelets) to not work properly. The term "acquired" means these diseases or conditions are not inherited, but instead develop independently in a person.
Causes
With platelet disor...

AcrodermatitisAcrodermatitis is a childhood skin condition that may be accompanied by mild symptoms of fever and malaise. It may also be associated with hepatitis B and other viral infections.
Causes
The cause of acrodermatitis is poorly understood, but its link with other infections is well- documented.
In Ital...

AcrodysostosisAcrodysostosis is an extremely rare disorder that is present at birth (congenital). People with this condition have problems in the bones of the hands, feet, and nose, and mental retardation.
Causes
Most patients with acrodysostosis have no family history of the disease. However, sometimes the cond...

AcromegalyAcromegaly is a chronic metabolic disorder in which there is too much growth hormone and the body tissues gradually enlarge.
Causes
Acromegaly occurs in about 6 of every 100,000 adults. It is caused by abnormal production of growth hormone after the skeleton and other organs finish growing.
Excessi...

ACTHAn ACTH test measures ACTH, a hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland in the brain.
How the Test is Performed
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care p...

ACTH (cosyntropin) stimulation testACTH (cosyntropin) stimulation test measures how well the adrenal glands respond to the hormone ACTH. ACTH is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol.
How the Test is Performed
The health care provider will measure the cortisol in your blood ...

ActinomycosisActinomycosis is a long-term (chronic) bacterial infection that commonly affects the face and neck.
Causes
Actinomycosis is usually caused by an anaerobic bacteria called Actinomyces israelii, which is a common and normally not disease-causing (nonpathogenic) organism found in the nose and throat.
...

AcuteAcute means sudden or severe. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic....

Acute adrenal crisisAcute adrenal crisis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is not enough cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
Causes
The two adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They consist of the outer portion, called the cortex, and the inner portion, called the medu...

Acute arterial occlusion - kidneyAcute arterial occlusion of the kidney is a sudden, severe blockage of the artery that supplies blood to the kidney.
Causes
The kidneys are very sensitive to the amount of blood that flows through them. Any reduction of blood flow through the renal artery can impair kidney function. If prolonged, a...

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathyAcute bilateral obstructive uropathy is a sudden blockage of the flow of urine from both kidneys. The kidneys continue to produce urine in the normal manner, but because urine does not drain properly, the kidneys start to swell.
See also:
Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy
Chronic bilateral...

Acute cerebellar ataxiaAcute cerebellar ataxia is sudden onset of uncoordinated muscle movement.
Causes
Acute cerebellar ataxia is most common in children, especially those younger than age 3. It often occurs several weeks after a viral illness.
Viral infections that may cause this include chickenpox, Coxsackie disease,...

Acute cholecystitisAcute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain.
See also: Chronic cholecystitis
Causes
In 90% of cases, acute cholecystitis is caused by gallstones in the gallbladder. Severe illness and, rarely, tumors of the gallbladder may also cause cholecysti...

Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infectionAcute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a condition caused by a member of the herpesvirus family.
See also: Mononucleosis
Causes
Mononucleosis can be caused by several different viruses and a few types of bacteria. Unlike the more common form of mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EB...